France’s high-speed train lines faced severe disruptions due to multiple coordinated acts of sabotage, causing chaos just before the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony. Described as “an attack on France,” these malicious acts have led to significant delays and cancellations, affecting thousands of travelers.
The French state railway company, SNCF, reported that cables essential for train security were set on fire and tampered with, leading to extensive damage. The high-speed lines in the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern regions were particularly impacted. SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou stated that approximately 250,000 travelers would be affected today, with disruptions expected to continue throughout the weekend.
French intelligence services are fully mobilized to find those responsible for the sabotage. Although there is no evidence yet linking the acts to any specific group, authorities are investigating all possible leads. Security in Paris has been significantly increased, with 35,000 police officers deployed daily during the Games, peaking at 45,000 for the opening ceremony.
Despite the disruptions, the Paris 2024 spokesperson confirmed that the opening ceremony will proceed as planned, with no concerns from their side regarding the overnight events. French officials condemned the acts in the strongest terms. The outgoing French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, described the consequences as “massive and serious.” Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that security at the capital’s train stations would be heightened in response to the attacks.
Passengers at affected stations, such as Gare du Nord and Montparnasse in Paris, expressed frustration and disappointment as their travel plans were disrupted. SNCF has advised travelers to postpone their trips if possible and avoid going to the stations. Repair crews are working tirelessly to fix the damaged cables and restore normal train operations. The process is expected to be complex and time-consuming to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
The cause of these disruptions remains under investigation, but the timing and nature of the attacks suggest a coordinated effort to create chaos ahead of the highly anticipated Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.